In this episode of the Not My Job Pod, host Emily Gant speaks with her friend Zane Kelly, who shares their unique experiences working at McDonald's while navigating a significant career change and returning to university. Zane reflects on their time in China during the pandemic, the challenges they faced, and the decision to leave the country. They discuss the importance of language skills and cultural adaptation, as well as his experiences as an older student in university. 

The conversation also touches on the nuances of Scottish culture and language, providing insights into Zane's journey and the impact of their experiences on their current studies. In this engaging conversation, Zane Kelly and Emily Gant explore the nuances of language, culture, and personal experiences. They discuss the challenges of bridging language gaps, the impact of living abroad on linguistic skills, and the sociolinguistic dynamics that shape perceptions of language and identity. 

Zane shares insights from their studies in linguistics, while Emily reflects on her experiences in different cultural contexts. They also delve into career transitions, working at McDonald's, and the cultural identity of being Scottish.

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The Not My Job Pod - Episode 1: Heather Kimpton

In the first episode of The Not My Job Pod, I sit down with my best friend, Heather Kimpton, to chat about our very different career paths—me in tech, her in education—and everything we've learned along the way. We get into what it actually feels like to do our jobs, what makes work fulfilling (or not), and how the world of teaching English as a second language has changed over the years.

Heather shares what it’s like teaching ESL in London to a wildly diverse group of students—from beginners to near-fluent speakers, refugees to international school kids. We talk about the power of trauma-informed teaching, why classroom context matters so much, and how different people learn languages in totally different ways. There’s also some real talk about the messiness of for-profit education and the quiet, everyday ways teachers shape people’s lives.

It’s honest, reflective, a little nerdy, and packed with the kind of insight you only get from someone who's been around the block.

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